Established in 1997 the Agasthya Vanam biological park, near Thiruvananthapuram is named after the magnificent Agasthyakoodam Peak looming at a distance. The park covers a total area of 23 sq kms out of which 17.5 sq kms are marked for natural regeneration, for the growth of vegetation and development of a thick jungle. The remaining area is to be used for manipulative programs of conservation.

This project was constituted by the government of India after a scientific review committee recommended the setting up of a biological reserve in the highly degraded forest area know as the Kottor Reserve. This park has been set up for the regeneration, conservation, and propagation of a variety of wild animals, birds and plants.

Though the area selected has negligible tree growth and wildlife, it has water sources in abundance and the soil is suitable for large scale afforestation.
 

The Neyyar sanctuary is spread over the Southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 sq kms. This is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar. Although it was declared as a sanctuary in 1958, not much was done about wildlife conservation.

Then in 1985, a separate wildlife wing was set up and as a result, conservation efforts have gathered momentum. This sanctuary has a substantial natural vegetation cover. The diversity of its flora makes the sanctuary an ideal gene pool preserve. The towering peak of Agastirmalai at an elevation of 1868m is a very prominent landmark.

The mean summer temperature is around 35 degrees centigrade and the winter being around 16 degree centigrade. The average rainfall from the Southwest monsoon between May and July and the Northeast monsoon between October and November, is about 3000mm. The tourist season here is between the months of November and March.

The administrative complex of Neyyar complex Wildlife Sanctuary is about 1 km West of Neyyar Dam outside the sanctuary complex and has an information center, a Crocodile farm, staff quarters, rest house, and a youth hostel. The sanctuary offers facilities for the tourists to visit the lion park and also boat on the Neyyar lake.